LONDON: A society has been launched in Britain to boost the already “historic” ties between the UAE and UK, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Emirates Society will act as a forum to enhance relations between the two countries, and work to organize cultural events, social occasions, and talks by politicians and academics.

An event to launch it, held in London, was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

Sheikh Abdullah said that relations between the two countries are growing rapidly.

“It’s true that throughout the decades this relationship has been growing. But in the last decade it has been growing really rapidly. I hope that the next decade will make it grow further,” he said.

“I’m very proud that over 100,000 UK citizens consider the UAE as their second home.”

Sheikh Abdullah also pointed to the strengthening ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia, and said the positive changes in the Kingdom “will have a ripple effect throughout the world.”

Sulaiman Al-Mazroui, the UAE ambassador to the UK, said the two countries had a “partnership in the pursuit of peace and moderation in the Middle East.”

“The Emirates Society has been established to help preserve and advance this partnership,” he said.

Al-Mazroui pointed to UK-UAE ties ranging from DP World’s London Gateway port in the UK capital, to the Abu Dhabi ownership of Manchester City Football Club.

Alistair Burt MP, the UK’s minister of state for international development and for the Middle East, said the relationship between Britain and the UAE “makes the world safer.”

The launch of the Emirates Society will be “yet another brick in the wall” in that relationship, he added.

“I hope … this society will look at other aspects of the relationship, look at culture, look at business (and) find the opportunities where people will be able to learn more about the UAE in the United Kingdom,” said Burt.